FujiFilm Announces Successors To F30 & S3 Pro

DSLRs are about as easy to tell apart as sheep and here is further proof in the Nikon-esque form of Fujifilm’s long awaited follow up to the S3 Pro.

The S5 Pro has been over two years in the making and has come out of its extensive gestation looking extremely like Nikon D200. The S5 comes with ‘Super CD Double Pixel Technology’ which means Fujifilm is promoting the camera’s 6.17 megapixel CCD as 12.34 effective and it features the company’s new engine, the ‘RP Processor Pro’, which promises more zip and quieter operation.

ISO range is a massive 3200, while dynamic range settings can be set between 100 and 400 per cent. An 11 point autofocus system has been introduced and the LCD is a healthy 2.5 inches. Naturally enough – given its appearance – the S5 will also boast an F-mount so you can use Nikon lenses.

Pricing isn’t even on the horizon yet with the S5 not due until Q1 next year, but it makes an intriguing proposition.

Also announced today is the F31fd, a minimal upgrade to the F30. It looks virtually identical, has the same six megapixel CCD, matching optical zoom, a lovely 3200 ISO, 2.5in LCD and adds ‘Face Detection technology’. Apparently this latter wizardry triangulates the eyes and mouth to optimise the focus and exposure for up to ten faces (no footy team shots then). In playback mode Face Detection will also automatically zoom into a subject’s face and trim the shot for portraits (presumably this can be switched off if you don’t want to lose than pretty scenery in the background).

No price again, but the F31fd will debut in September so it’s up to you whether such facial tomfoolery does it for you or whether you – like me – would rather remain in as much blur as possible…